Sec. 841.145.  EXPERT.  (a)  At the person's own expense, a person who is examined under this chapter may retain an expert to perform an examination or participate in a civil commitment proceeding on the person's behalf, including a biennial examination or other civil commitment proceeding to assess the person's status as a sexually violent predator.
(b)  On the request of an indigent person examined under this chapter, the judge shall determine whether expert services for the person are necessary.  If the judge determines that the services are necessary, the judge shall appoint an expert to perform an examination or participate in a civil commitment proceeding on the person's behalf and shall approve compensation for the expert as appropriate under Subsection (c).
(c)  The court shall approve reasonable compensation for expert services rendered on behalf of an indigent person on the filing of a certified compensation claim supported by a written statement specifying:
(1)  time expended on behalf of the person;
(2)  services rendered on behalf of the person;
(3)  expenses incurred on behalf of the person;  and
(4)  compensation received in the same case or for the same services from any other source.
(d)  The court shall ensure that an expert retained or appointed under this section has for purposes of examination reasonable access to a person examined under this chapter, as well as to all relevant medical and psychological records and reports.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1188, Sec. 4.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by: 
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 849 (S.B. 912), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2005.